DHEA is a hormone made by the body which tends to decrease as we age. DHEA supplements are purported to have anti-aging benefits, and a new study published in the journal of the International Menopause Society found that menopausal women taking DHEA supplements had fewer menopausal symptoms in comparison to a control group, and had more interest in sex and more satisfying sex lives.
A third group of study subjects took standard hormone therapy of both estrogen and progesterone. These women reported similar results—fewer menopausal symptoms and better sex lives—to the women taking DHEA. Since many women avoid hormone therapy because of evidence that it ups risk of breast cancer and heart disease, DHEA could be an alternative treatment.
Study leader Professor Andrea Genazzani of the University of Pisa said in a statement:
This is the first time that a controlled trial has shown that low doses of the hormone DHEA may be able to help women deal better with menopausal symptoms, as well as helping their sex life. The work shows that DHEA has potential, especially for those women who may have problems in taking more conventional HRT. But this is a small study, a proof of concept. What we need to do now is to look at a larger study, to confirm that these initial results are valid".
To learn more about DHEA's possible benefits, as well as potential risks it poses for certain people, get the low-down on this supplement from the National Institutes of Health.
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